It’s never too early for kids to start setting goals. A goal is something that you want to do, but it is not necessarily something that’s easy to do. Setting a goal is like making a plan for the future. It can take time and effort to achieve a goal. It may take blood, sweat and tears, too!

Taking Those First Important Steps

So, why should you set a goal if it might be ARDUOUS or take a long time to accomplish? If you want to learn a skill that seems way too hard, or work toward a milestone that seems far away, the first thing to do is to set your goal and then to break that goal down into smaller steps.

An organization that works to empower kids to reach their goals is Junior Achievement of Arizona. JA teaches kids to manage money, think innovatively, and to prepare for their future careers. A great way to manage and prepare is to set a goal.

“It's so important to know that you can set goals at any age!” says Dr. Jennie Clausen, the JA Inspire Program Director. According to Clausen, the easiest tool to use is SMART goals. SMART stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely.

A vague goal might be saying, “I want to be famous.” A specific goal would be “I want to learn to make my own videos” or “I want to play the guitar.”

A lengthy novel might seem like a lot to tackle, but you can make it easier and measurable by reading a certain number of pages each day or chapters each week.

You shouldn’t plan to run a 5K next week, and probably not next month. But you can make running a long distance achievable by adding a lap or a certain number of minutes to your run each week.

It may not be FEASIBLE to go to space soon. But it is more achievable and relevant to learn more about space or to research what training and skills an astronaut might need.

To make your goal timely, set a deadline for reaching your goal. It can be finishing a book before the end of the month, creating holiday cards to send to your family in the next two or three months, or learning a new skill by the end of the school year.

Reaching a Goal Takes Time

Clausen says it is great for kids to match their goals to their interests in order to stay motivated. For example, when a kid loves music, that may make it easier for them to devote time to practicing their scales. If they like graphic novels, he or she may be more inclined to spend time drawing or learning about artists and art techniques. If your family can’t wait for the World Cup, your kid might spend extra time each day doing soccer drills or improving their dribbling.

“It’s hard to want to achieve a goal that doesn't feel interesting,” Clausen notes. But even when an activity is something that a kid is eager to pursue, a long-term goal can require added incentives or parental support. Breaking down big goals into small steps is IMPERATIVE.

“Long-term goals can sometimes feel impossible,” explains Clausen. She says that for many young people, “it's hard to imagine a year or more ahead. Adult reinforcement of these goals is the key to success. Short-term goals can also be defeating if they are too big or impossible to achieve, which can also lead to losing hope in long-term aspirations.”

So is it a good idea for kids and families to set a high bar, or to make goals smaller and more manageable? Both are important, says Clausen.

“Long-term goals give us an endgame lens, with short-term goals being building blocks to a long-term goal,” she explains. “Short-term goals are important because they still provide a sense of accomplishment, even if the long-term goal one day changes.”

Short-term goals can be as simple as finishing homework assignments on time or never being late to class, says Clausen. “Both types of goals (long-term and short-term) will help students see themselves as accomplishing something, and that always feels great,” she says.

Track Your Progress, and Look Ahead!

Is it important for kids to track their goal progress? “Absolutely!” says Clausen. Tracking goals gives a sense of direction and lets kids ask themselves, “Am I accomplishing what matters to me, putting me on a path toward my long-term dreams? Do I still aspire to those goals?” she explains.

Clausen notes that tracking goals allows kids and families to celebrate progress. “Being able to look back, particularly when the road is hard, can build perseverance and resilience,” she adds.

As kids start looking ahead, Clausen mentions the four Es they might consider. These are E words that represent post-high school goals for students: Employability (straight to work), Enrollment (continuing education), Exploration (taking a gap year), and Enlist (military).

“It's important for students to know that all four of these are options after high school and set goals aligned to their pathway, says Clausen. “Above all else, JA Arizona has the tools and curriculum for all things college and career readiness, and we are here to help!”

You can find free online resources for kids in grades K–12 (and for adults up to age 25) at Junior Achievement of Arizona’s website. You will also find more information about JA programs at jaaz.org.

It’s a Good Time to Try Something New

One of the goals that kids can set for themselves this school year is to try something new. Some kids will be facing new adventures and new challenges, but also making new friends as they enter a new grade and possibly start at a new school.

One such student is former Young Reporter Briana Williams. Because she attended a K–8 school, Briana knows that heading to high school will be a new experience for her, including a new group of people.

“I’m looking forward to meeting and working with other classmates…getting out of my shell. I think it’ll be fun, maybe joining clubs and meeting new people and friends,” says Briana.

While she will not have the familiarity of the same campus and the same cohort, Briana is looking forward to “a new chapter and a new beginning.” In addition, she is excited about “being more independent than I was in elementary or middle school.”

Briana anticipates changes in her math and English classes this year, and she is excited about having electives in high school, like possibly a culinary class. Briana explains that one of the methods she will use to have a successful school year is to be organized.

“A goal for me—I think that should be for everyone to maintain—is to be organized and on top of stuff,” says Briana. She plans to “be organized in my classes and try to do the best that I can.”

That’s a great goal for everyone!

Be a goal-getter this school year, and move forward to a big, bright future!